Kevin Pillar apologizes for slur as MLB investigates incident

Major League Baseball says it is investigating an incident in which Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar appeared to say a homophobic slur at Atlanta Braves pitcher Jason Motte during Wednesday night's game.
Time_Sports

Major League Baseball confirmed Thursday it is investigating the incident in which Kevin Pillar appeared to shout a homophobic slur after the Toronto Blue Jays outfielder struck out against Atlanta Braves pitcher Jason Motte on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Pillar issued an apology Thursday to both Motte and the LGBTQ community for his use of the slur.

"This is not who I am," Pillar, 28, said in a message posted to his Twitter account, "and I will use this as an opportunity to better myself."

“It was immature, it was stupid, it was uncalled for,” Pillar said after the Blue Jays’ 8-4 loss. “It’s part of the game, it’s just, I’m a competitive guy and heat of the moment. Obviously I’m going to do whatever I’ve got to do to reach out and apologize and let him know he didn’t do anything wrong, it was all me.”

In 2012, the Blue Jays suspended shortstop Yunel Escobar for three games after he wrote a homophobic slur in Spanish on his eye black. Escobar was ordered to undergo sensitivity training, and the Blue Jays also donated his salary for the three games to the You Can Play project, which works to ensure athletes are treated the same regardless of sexual orientation. In the 2011 collective bargaining agreement, MLB and the union implemented rules protecting gay employees, adding sexual orientation to its anti-discrimination policy, and created a workplace code of conduct for major and minor league organizations.

In 2014, MLB added an officer of inclusion, former major league outfielder Billy Bean, who was tasked with providing guidance and training to support those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, and work with major and minor league clubs to encourage equal opportunity.

MLB's players' association declined comment on the Pillar situation. Pillar, one of the best defensive center fielders in the game, is having the best season of his four-year career, batting .305 with a .375 on-base percentage, six home runs and six steals.